Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-11-24
New York.
(By Dr.. F. B. Robins0n.)

AS one stands upon the summit of
Brooklyn bridge midday, and at even
ing and at morning, he can get the best
view of those monstrous twin cities.
The four immense cables, fastened to
the shore and stretching over high
granite piers, say below the middle of
the bridge. The traffic of car, wagon
and foot path over this bridge is large.
But the beehives of humanity on either
side the most interesting sight in any
country. AS far as the eye can strike
on either side is houses, people, smoke
and city. The noisy steam boats, the
rafting cars and the din of industry
never ceases day nor night. The push,
energy an business capacity of New
York is very great but it does not equal
that of Chicago. New York is and
always will be great city because it is
the mouth through which the stomach
of America is fed.
Europe and the United States repre-
sent the two sides of heart, the circu-
lation of fresh blood to both sides is
necessary to the health of each. New
York is great commercial center of
the world situated on Manhattan Island
by New York Bay sixteen miles from
the ocean. The avenues run full
length of the island, fifteen miles
while the streets run across it which is
a mile and half. 1t has over $50 miles
of paved steets. New York is the
American Center of wealth and power
and genius. 1t is the emporium of the
greatness of the U. S. Necessity will al
ways make it great from its unsurpassed
natural advantage-good climate and apt
location. Ehe people at first appear
ance seem to be divided into poor and
rich 80 widely separated is the wretched
squalor from the luxuriously wealthy.
Ages ago Soloman said the rich and poor
shall meet together Nowhere is that
adage more exemplified than in Broad
way and 9Th Avenue, because in this
country personal liberty is almost I'M
limited as to place. Yonder is team
and carriage with iveried servants made
splendid by all that money can buy,
meeting a man half clothed with rags
wretchedly poor drawing his own dray
cart through the street. There goes a
lady to walk on a fine afternoon her
dress of silk is bedecked with sparklig
and glittering iewelry, orna-
ment her person. Then passes her
woman the very appearance of squalor
and poverty. ALI kinds of want is mark
ed in every line of her ACE. It is appar-
emf that the rich are richer, and tn e
poor poorer, than seems good and wise.
New York society is field of wealth
and no one without money can enter.
A man must be able to pay so much
gate money to get ticket. Fifth Ave
nue. is the street of fashion as well as
Central Park Here the leaders of
fashion as well and society display the
fnery of cloth, iyeried carriages, and
Horses caparisoned with silver trappings.
Ladies, who are only, fit to Sit for
picture with gloves up to the elbow SO
tight as to squeeze arm and hand blood
less with corsets 30 tight as to display
almost every vital organ-dressed for an
occasion. It is said this is done to i'm
press the young men with their rarity.
On the wider side walks of this aristo-
cratic avenue the wealthy ladies and
gentlemen promenade on fine after
moons from to a dozen abreast. Silks
and satins, dresses and ribbons are
distorted so that attraction may be
gained. Simple beauty is deformed by
enormous bustles and consequent grace
and elegance of corsage. Paints, pow
ders and pads rudely ornaments grace
full nature. Fashion rules with an iron
hand. Time and space forbids descrip-
ton of elegant and costly residences on
Fifth avenue which surpasses anything
in the United States. Some houses will
rent in the fashionable location for
some $780, 900 ayear. Rent is very high
on account of limited amount of land to
build on. On Fifth avenue is the noted
Fifth Avenue Hotel made historically
famous by celebrated politicians Conk-
ling, Blaine, Delano, Lincoln and many
others lodged there.
Broadway is the greatest street in the
world. We hear much of Frederick
ana Leipsie streets of Berlin, "Of-
strand" in London, of the celebrated
Revolt street of Paris but none are
equal to Broadway in length Us miles,
wealth and costly edifces. Here are
the beautiful brown stone fronts cut
glass fronts, marble and granite fronts,
iron fronts and the noted efrontery of
vice and splendor The buildings run
mainly six stories high but often eight
or ten. Wall street is a branch OF
Broadway. 1t was originally sheep
pasture. 1t is called "Wall street" from
a high wall built by the Dutch to keep
back the New Englanders. 1t is a
narrow crooked street with solid, high
buildings. so high as to shut out the